At First Congregational United Church of Christ in Portland;

We are people of different ages, education, races, abilities, sexual orientations and gender identities.
We hold varying theological and political beliefs and come from different socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds.
We celebrate and find strength in that diversity and view it as a way of understanding the inclusiveness of God's love.
We celebrate the image of God in every person and we affirm all relationships of support that are founded on the principles of love and justice.
We encourage all members to share their talents, gifts and energy in the life, work and leadership of the church.
We are a community which is spiritually alive, intellectually curious, and open to new learning, ideas and scholarship.
We are tolerant and supportive of other religious traditions and committed to learning about and from them.

 

We are Open and Affirming (ONA)

"Open and Affirming" means that it has publicly declared that "lesbian, gay, bisexual" (LGB) people (or those of all "sexual orientations") are welcome in its full life and ministry (e.g. membership, leadership, employment etc.) It bespeaks a spirit of hospitality and a willingness to live out that welcome in meaningful ways.  Transgender people or gender identity and gender expression is increasingly included in ONA declarations, statements or policies.